Gossip from the Delhi Durbar: New chief ministers for Maharashtra, Haryana?

Why is Kamal Nath eyeing Chidambaram's chair?

All this, and more, in this week's Dilli Gupshup. Gossip from the Delhi Durbar.

Is a Cabinet reshuffle in the offing?

According to the grapevine, political compulsions and a power centre called Rahul Gandhi could force Dr Manmohan Singh's hand.

The prime minister may be compelled to undertake a Cabinet/ministerial reshuffle during the recess in Parliament's ongoing Budget session.

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi -- whose recent visit to Mumbai to meet disgruntled party workers -- is under pressure from Congress MPs and MLAs from Maharashtra, who are unhappy with the straight-backed Prithviraj Chavan, and demanding that he be replaced as chief minister.

Chavan is not averse to returning to Delhi if he is welcomed as a Cabinet minister.

In his earlier stint as a Rajya Sabha member -- before his Mr Clean image made him the ideal replacement for Maharashtra's scam-ridden chief minister Ashok Chavan -- Prithviraj Chavan was a minister of state handling several portfolios (science and technology; earth sciences; personnel, public grievances and pensions; parliamentary affairs and the prime minister's office).

Another chief minister facing an uncertain future is Haryana's Bhupinder Singh Hooda, under a cloud ever since first son-in-law Robert Vadra's strange real estate deals in his state were exposed.

Since both Chavan and Hooda are badminton enthusiasts, they may not mind being shuttled as long as there are consolatory Cabinet berth headed their way.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath is itching to move to the front row of the Treasury benches in the Lok Sabha.

Unfortunately, there is no place for him there.

Nath currently occupies the seat right behind Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the second row.

But you will seldom find him in his allotted place.

At every available opportunity, he will move to the front row and sit next to Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

The other occupants of the front row are Dr Singh, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who is also the Leader of the House, National Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar and Finance Minister P Chidambaram.

Each time Chidambaram walks in, Nath is forced to vacate his preferred seat and move back to the second row.

If there is one person everyone envies at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters at Ashoka Road, it is the occupant of Room 24!

Every BJP leader who has occupied this room has gone on to bigger, better posts.

Narendra Singh Tomar was using this room when he was made president of the BJP's Madhya Pradesh unit.

Then, Vijay Goel moved in and he was crowned head of the BJP's Delhi unit.

The 'auspicious' room has now been allotted to BJP President Rajnath Singh's aide, Sudhanshu Trivedi.

Since he clearly does not want to head the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit, party insiders are watching with interest to see if Room 24 will lead Trivedi to a Rajya Sabha berth...

Narendra Modi's fan following now includes a Cabinet minister.

Political circles in Delhi are buzzing about the proximity between this Cabinet minister and the Gujarat chief minister.

During his recent visit to Gandhinagar, the minister was a guest of the state government.

Though this was perfectly acceptable protocol-wise, the minister -- who is perceived to be close to both Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul -- reportedly showered lavish praise on Modi.

Both 10, Janpath, Sonia Gandhi's home, and 24, Akbar Road, the Congress party headquarters, have taken note of this new 'friendship'.

An aide to Vice-President Hamid Ansari has become a mover and shaker in the capital.

The official has been spotted at 15, Gurdwara Rakabganj Road, where the Congress 'war room' is located.

Among other things, he is reportedly taking credit for helping tackle the controversy surrounding Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien, who has been accused by the Suryanelli rape victim, and deciding on the appointment of senior officials.